Communication for Development Specialist, P3, Temporary Appointment 364 days, Freetown, Sierra Leone #115901

UNICEF Sierra Leone is seeking to select an Emergency C4D Specialist to coordinate and manage UNICEF CO C4D/Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) preparedness and response to strengthen and sustain national RCCE interventions, processes, and capacities.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a voice.

Please visit UNICEF Sierra Leone website here: www.unicef.org/sierraleone

How can you make a difference?

The 2020 COVID-19 and 2021 Polio Outbreak emergencies, as well as the recent resurgence of Ebola cases in Guinea, with potential outbreak risk in Sierra Leone, pose a long-term risk of protracted outbreak emergencies with far reaching impact on economy, social and environment. Responding and strengthening RCCE preparedness and response systems and empowering and building resilience of communities constitute essential conditions to reduce vulnerability to climate-related and other economic, social, health and environmental shocks/disasters and for sustainable poverty reduction.

Risk Communication and Community Engagement is recognized in this regard as a key pillar of emergency response in the country, as demonstrated notably by the 2014-215 Ebola and 2020 COVID-19 emergency response, helping ensuring effective communication with the public, engagement of children, youth, communities, local partners and other stakeholders to support prevention and response to public health emergencies, including mitigating secondary impacts across health, education, social and child protection

The Emergency C4D Specialist will be responsible to coordinate and manage UNICEF CO C4D/Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) preparedness and response by helping to strengthen and sustain national RCCE interventions, processes, and capacities, with specific focus on participatory community engagement and mainstreaming of AAP principles and processes.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Communication 4 Development Specialist, the Emergency C4D Specialist will be accountable for the following key functions/accountabilities. Please see attached ToR for detailed information. TOR_Emergency C4D Specialist P-3.pdf

A. Facilitate and coordinate to support to government RCCE in coordination of national RCCE coordination mechanism - RCSM Pillar(s) and sub-working groups (WG).

• Provide technical support to the RCSM pillar(s) on the adaptation of national strategies, standards, protocols, guidelines, training manuals and communication materials for RCCE.
• Facilitate RCSM Pillar and Sub-group activities.
• Coordinate RCSM Rumours and Data Management working group, including ensuring that partners are familiar with and use reporting format for activities, that the working group mailing list and contact details are regularly updated and that the shared drive is organised well.

B. STRENGTHEN evidence-based response through ENHANCED Data and Information management SYSTEMS

• Develop integrated Health, Nutrition, WASH, Child Protection and other sectors culturally relevant key messages and IEC materials as necessary, for printing, TV, radio spots and social media messaging.
• Liaise with and support field offices, RCCE focal persons and sub-groups in designing and implementing risk communication activities.

C. STRENGTHEN evidence-based response through ENHANCED Data and Information management SYSTEMS:

• Provide technical supervision and guidance to improve evidence-based response, incl. on formative research and monitoring and evaluation of RCCE activities in emergency response.

• Support and coordinate conduct of rapid polling and qualitative research to understand community information needs, communications preferences, community dynamics, social norms, cultural beliefs, superstitions and other anthropological factors that could impact programmes.

D. Feedback mechanisms / Community perception and feedback:

Map existing complaint and feedback channels and support organizations to establish additional channels based on identified gaps and community preferences. Identify community preferences for feedback channels, including for sensitive issues (conducting risk assessments where necessary).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in communication for social and behaviour change, political science, social science, international studies or a related field (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, community-based development, Health Education, etc.). *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree*
• A minimum 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in planning and management of communication for development programmes, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.
• Substantive relevant experience in emergency countries with proven background/experience in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) in areas of humanitarian and/or health emergencies.
• Demonstrable experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder working groups to achieve common goals in humanitarian settings, in developing and implementing community engagement strategies.
• Strong analytical skills and a keen interest and motivation for inter-agency coordination.
• A good understanding of information management (including data flows, protection and analysis), as well as qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
• Experience facilitating participatory approaches is highly desirable.
• Experience in the field of C4D/SBC in emergency/humanitarian context is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

The competencies for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing (3)
• Deciding and initiating action (2)
• Applying Technical Expertise (3)

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.